Farmers are encouraged to plant cover crops for a variety of reasons, but with tight margins in today’s farming economy, it’s sometimes hard to make them pencil out. Farmers of the Sugar River and Green County Clean Waters, two local producer-led groups that support the many benefits of cover crops, are having a meeting on Tuesday, June 23 to share with other producers a couple of options that exist in the watersheds to sign up for cost sharing to plant cover crops this fall.

Both watershed groups have received a grant from Sand County Foundation’s Farmer Led Fund and are currently accepting applications for financial assistance in planting cover crops, ranging from $30-50/ acre. There is another program through Farmers for Soil Health that farmers could receive $35/acre. The groups also have state grant money available at a lower rate.

“There are nuances to each program and farmers are encouraged to come to the meeting to find out which one would fit their situation best,” said Rob Treuthardt, Farmer Leader of the Green County Clean Waters group.

Applications for the programs will be available at the meeting.

Rob and Jeremy Treuthardt are hosting the meeting at their shop located at N1808 Wis. 69, Monroe. The meeting is slated to start at 11 a.m. and should conclude around 1 p.m. Lunch will follow the meeting. Contact Tonya Gratz with the Green County Land and Water Conservation Department with any questions at 608-325-4195 extension 2684.